Chek Jawa
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Keyhole sand dollar (Echinodiscus truncatus)
This sand dollar has intriguing holes whose purpose is not well understood. It is not as commonly seen as the Cake sand dollar. -
Cake sand dollars (Arachnoides placenta)
These sand dollars are common on Chek Jawa. Living sand dollars are purplishand covered with fine spines. Dead ones are white and smooth as all the spines have fallen off. -
Sand Dollars hidden in the sand
Sand dollars usually lie buried just beneath the sand surface, sometimes showing themselves in pretty patterns. A corny but favourite riddle on Chek Jawa is "What do you keep in a Sand Bank?" -
Peacock or Tube Anemone (Cerianthus sp.) -
Peacock or Tube anemone (Cerianthus sp.) -
Peacock or Tube Anemone? (Cerianthus sp.) -
Peacock or Tube anemone (Cerianthus sp.) -
Peacock or Tube anemone (Cerianthus sp.) -
Peacock or Tube anemone (Cerianthus sp.) -
Peacock or Tube anemone (Cerianthus sp.) -
Peacock or Tube anemone (Cerianthus sp.) -
Peacock or Tube anemone (Cerianthus sp.) -
Peacock or Tube anemone (Cerianthus sp.) -
Peacock or Tube anemone (Cerianthus sp.) -
Marine flatworm (Phylum Platyhelminthes)
Marine flatworms are carnivorous and feed small creatures. However, they themselves are not good to eat, as their colourful warning suggests. This tiny bright red marine flatworm was spotted in the coral rubble area. -
Marine Flatworm (Phylum Platyhelminthes)
They are often mitaken for nudibranchs, which are molluscs and have external appendanges. Flatworms are marine worms and are really flat with nothing much sticking out of their bodies. But they too come in colourful and fanciful costumes. -
Marine Flatworm (Phylum Platyhelminthes)
A beautifully patterned marine flatworm, seen trapped in a water pool on the North sandbank. They are seasonally abundant. -
Sea anemone
This sea anmeone has longer tentacles and is not as commonly seen in Chek Jawa as the Carpet Anemones. -
Sand anemone
Hard to spot as they blend perfectly into the sand. -
Long-tentacles sea anemone
Another sea anemone with long tentacles. This too is rarely seen at Chek Jawa. -
Sea Anemone
Another hard-to-spot but large sea anemone. -
Peanut worm (Phylum Sipuncula)
They are not worms, but do look very worm-like. They usually remain buried. -
Acorn worm (Class Enteropneusta)
These coils often seen on the sand have been processed by the Acorn worm. Acorn worms live in burrows in the sand, processing sediments for edible bits. At low tide, they stick their backsides to the surface and eject the cast. -
File Snake (Acrochordus granulatus)
File Snakes have loose granular skin that they use to grip their fish prey. These snakes are found in coastal habitats and have valved nostrils that they can close when they are underwater, They give birth to live young. These snakes are gentle and, like most snakes, will not bite unless they are disturbed or picked up. If you see one, just watch it as it goes about its business. -
